Here's Why Toyota Celicas are Crap
video description
Date: 2019-08-08
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 9
177SCmaro
For the record, the 2ZZ-GE engine was not designed by Yamaha, only the head was in cooperation with Toyota. The bottom end was largely based on the 1ZZ-FE designed by Toyota, which, aside from oil consumption issues early on, go forever. The 2ZZ engine did not have an especially short life span or lack of reliability. Most of the failures were from how people treated them, especially over-reving/blowing the 2ed-3rd shift (accidentally going from 2ed to 1st at WOT. As mentioned, the main issues involved oiling - oil pump and oil pan. But, again, these were more than adequate for most kinds of driving (and can be upgraded with far superior parts. Failures tended to occur when racing the car or pushing it to the extreme for extended periods of time. They also had valve spring issues under hard racing conditions. So, yeah, even for comedic purposes it's easy to compare longevity and reliability of an economy engine from the previous generation that no one really raced because it was such a slug to a high strung, more sophisticated engine people did race and screwed up sometimes. If you took the bulletproof 6th gen gt engine and treated it how people treated the 2ZZ it would probably end up splattered all over the race track too.
reply
For the record, the 2ZZ-GE engine was not designed by Yamaha, only the head was in cooperation with Toyota. The bottom end was largely based on the 1ZZ-FE designed by Toyota, which, aside from oil consumption issues early on, go forever. The 2ZZ engine did not have an especially short life span or lack of reliability. Most of the failures were from how people treated them, especially over-reving/blowing the 2ed-3rd shift (accidentally going from 2ed to 1st at WOT. As mentioned, the main issues involved oiling - oil pump and oil pan. But, again, these were more than adequate for most kinds of driving (and can be upgraded with far superior parts. Failures tended to occur when racing the car or pushing it to the extreme for extended periods of time. They also had valve spring issues under hard racing conditions. So, yeah, even for comedic purposes it's easy to compare longevity and reliability of an economy engine from the previous generation that no one really raced because it was such a slug to a high strung, more sophisticated engine people did race and screwed up sometimes. If you took the bulletproof 6th gen gt engine and treated it how people treated the 2ZZ it would probably end up splattered all over the race track too.
reply
MrTilbin
Scotty is great to take advice from if a car to you is simply a mode of transportation and not an exention of your personality. I still wonder how many of his horror stories on junk cars can simply be avoided by taking care of the thing properly and following manufacturer maintenance intervals instead of your neighborhood mechanic. Consider your life choices if you're on such a tight budget you can't take care of something properly and just want to drive it into the ground. Hell, he even admits it in this one with people not even responsible enough to use the proper octane. It wasn't a Toyota or Yamaha problem, it was an owner problem.
reply
Scotty is great to take advice from if a car to you is simply a mode of transportation and not an exention of your personality. I still wonder how many of his horror stories on junk cars can simply be avoided by taking care of the thing properly and following manufacturer maintenance intervals instead of your neighborhood mechanic. Consider your life choices if you're on such a tight budget you can't take care of something properly and just want to drive it into the ground. Hell, he even admits it in this one with people not even responsible enough to use the proper octane. It wasn't a Toyota or Yamaha problem, it was an owner problem.
reply
DoctorDoodles
I'd have to completely disagree with Scotty on this one. I had a 2002 GTS Celica for 14 years and almost got it to 300, 000 miles with not a single problem and that was with changing the oil every 8, 000 miles and a single clutch replacement along the way. It did great until it finally got totaled in an accident two years ago and surprisingly enough took a head on hit at almost 40MPH and still was able to roll away from the accident. I have to say it was probably the most reliable car I've had to date. You want to talk about a money pit the Audi I had is miles ahead in that race, probably second would be the Camaro.
reply
I'd have to completely disagree with Scotty on this one. I had a 2002 GTS Celica for 14 years and almost got it to 300, 000 miles with not a single problem and that was with changing the oil every 8, 000 miles and a single clutch replacement along the way. It did great until it finally got totaled in an accident two years ago and surprisingly enough took a head on hit at almost 40MPH and still was able to roll away from the accident. I have to say it was probably the most reliable car I've had to date. You want to talk about a money pit the Audi I had is miles ahead in that race, probably second would be the Camaro.
reply
Fergus
Scotty: Fellow Houstonian here. Going to need a car for my 15yo son. My budget is around 15K thereabouts. It seems like all the Nissans, Toyotas, and Hondas are going with CVT transmissions (I have a Pathfinder for 3 years with no problems, but I drive it conservatively. So what cheaper new car options are there without CVTs? I know you don't like Carmax and big places like that -- where is the best resource to find a used car? A dealership? BTW: Costco has a great car buying program.
reply
Scotty: Fellow Houstonian here. Going to need a car for my 15yo son. My budget is around 15K thereabouts. It seems like all the Nissans, Toyotas, and Hondas are going with CVT transmissions (I have a Pathfinder for 3 years with no problems, but I drive it conservatively. So what cheaper new car options are there without CVTs? I know you don't like Carmax and big places like that -- where is the best resource to find a used car? A dealership? BTW: Costco has a great car buying program.
reply
Djiel
I own one of these (European model to be fair) and swapping in the 2ZZ was the best stuff I've done in years. I've not tracked it so I can't speak for the oil bit while cornering. but it's otherwise been super reliable and hitting lift does not get old. Basic maintenance nothing else. Our standard fuel here in the Netherlands is 95 octane and that runs the car perfectly fine. Perhaps in the USA this car is not so good, but here? Dunno, I certainly love it: )
reply
I own one of these (European model to be fair) and swapping in the 2ZZ was the best stuff I've done in years. I've not tracked it so I can't speak for the oil bit while cornering. but it's otherwise been super reliable and hitting lift does not get old. Basic maintenance nothing else. Our standard fuel here in the Netherlands is 95 octane and that runs the car perfectly fine. Perhaps in the USA this car is not so good, but here? Dunno, I certainly love it: )
reply
Shoes N Scents
My dad bought a 97 Celica in 1998 and drove it until 2017. Had almost 400k miles on the original engine. Was a 5 speed. It was the limited edition version. Was a Forrest green/dark green color. One of the best, most reliable cars Ive ever seen. Before that, my dad bought his 89 Toyota blue force 4x4 in 89 and drove it until 2002(kept it and the Celica) and that truck had almost 340k miles on it. You seriously cannot beat majority of Toyotas.
reply
My dad bought a 97 Celica in 1998 and drove it until 2017. Had almost 400k miles on the original engine. Was a 5 speed. It was the limited edition version. Was a Forrest green/dark green color. One of the best, most reliable cars Ive ever seen. Before that, my dad bought his 89 Toyota blue force 4x4 in 89 and drove it until 2002(kept it and the Celica) and that truck had almost 340k miles on it. You seriously cannot beat majority of Toyotas.
reply
CroutonsRawk
My corolla xrs has the same 2zz and im at 289, 000 miles with just regular maintenance. Do i rev up and hit lift? Yes, regularly, but the thing about these engines is that you cant over rev them because the oil pump/oil pan design is flawed. Doesnt mean you cant have fun though, i just think these celica owners dont know how to drive and torture their 2zzs without knowing anything about them.
reply
My corolla xrs has the same 2zz and im at 289, 000 miles with just regular maintenance. Do i rev up and hit lift? Yes, regularly, but the thing about these engines is that you cant over rev them because the oil pump/oil pan design is flawed. Doesnt mean you cant have fun though, i just think these celica owners dont know how to drive and torture their 2zzs without knowing anything about them.
reply
Matthew Sliwerski
Im a Toyota fan, but Ill be honest, my father had the Yamaha engine SHO back in the early 90s. Made it to 200k without a lot of problems from what I remember. I do remember him having to pull over the day he traded it in as it was overheating to let it cool down, but all in all, it seemed like it was reliable and had good torque, and an awesome start up sound. Notchy shifter though.
reply
Im a Toyota fan, but Ill be honest, my father had the Yamaha engine SHO back in the early 90s. Made it to 200k without a lot of problems from what I remember. I do remember him having to pull over the day he traded it in as it was overheating to let it cool down, but all in all, it seemed like it was reliable and had good torque, and an awesome start up sound. Notchy shifter though.
reply
glockguru94
I wonder if his customers who own these actual cars go and watch these videos he makes and cringe sometimes regarding what he has to say? Also your the ONLY auto mechanic I know that I actually recommends reliable cars to people and goes outta his way to make sure people know the truth about something and not BS. Thanks Scotty.
reply
I wonder if his customers who own these actual cars go and watch these videos he makes and cringe sometimes regarding what he has to say? Also your the ONLY auto mechanic I know that I actually recommends reliable cars to people and goes outta his way to make sure people know the truth about something and not BS. Thanks Scotty.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
